Created during remote Artist in Residence (rAiR) with the City of Greater Dandenong, "Arts and Crafts" focuses on the story of the everyday life of people during the chaotic beginning of 2020, and how people turned to art and craft mediums to contribute to relief, keep entertained and express themselves in trying times.
The series is titled within quotation marks to reference the way in which arts and crafts are often grouped and dismissed of importance, despite the proven mental health benefits of an art or craft practise and contribution to the relief of trauma.
The lacework was made from the handed-down crochet cottons of my lace making great-grandmother. Each diorama features architecture inspired by housing within the Greater Dandenong region, activities represented were sourced through digital community consultation
"Arts and Crafts"
(2020)
Arts and Crafts I
2020
Heirloom crochet cotton, embroidery thread, acetate, watercolour paper
180 x 110 x 160 mm
Arts and Crafts II
2020
Heirloom crochet cotton, embroidery thread, acetate, watercolour paper
180 x 110 x 160 mm
Exhibition and Press
"Arts and Crafts" was exhibited in a solo exhibition at the Greater Dandenong Library
Luciano was Interviewed by Danielle Kutchel about the work in the article Art 'Threads through isolation'